Like many people born into the modern world, where the plights of starvation, predation and want-of-shelter rarely, if ever, enter our minds as legitimate concerns, my youth was marked by the healthy vagaries of unfettered abandon. These flights of fancy were meant to placate the dull banality of daily life, allowing me to obsess on … Continue reading Salon Chair Bookcase

So, this wondrous piece of historical beauty was actually the impetus for investing in a storage unit. I saw it on Craigslist and knew that I absolutely had to get it, but had no where for it. I pleaded and pitched until finally my wonderful other half agreed that we could get a storage unit. … Continue reading The Quickies Pt. 2 – Doehler Metal Furniture School Desk

The last few weeks have been a little hectic, but I managed to squeeze in two quick refinishing projects. The bulk of my brain power has been siphoned off for other uses, so you will forgive me for skipping the musing this post and making with the pictures already. The first project was an adorable … Continue reading The Quickies Pt. 1 – Browne-Morse Card Catalog Cabinet

The essence of survival is remaining undaunted in the face of adversity. As the saying goes “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, or chicken piccata, if you prefer (and I do). Sometimes a little bit of good luck can balance out the bad luck and help make that adversity much less daunting. Such was … Continue reading Back-Alley Hooker

In the post-Summer Solstice slide towards my long-desired clouds and cool weather, I’ve found myself engulfed in possibilities. Possibilities and a tranquil sort of balance that is relatively rare in my life. The end of Summer always brings about a bit of personal sadness as the apartment empties of the sounds of frivolity and frivolousness* … Continue reading Hell in a … Something Basket

There was a point during this project where I had to face a harsh truth and decide whether my ideals could be compromised, or even realigned, if it meant making this a more successful project. One thing that always makes me sad is to see painted furniture. Wood is such a beautiful, unique construction material … Continue reading Lamination Lamentation – Part 3

There was a period of about three months between my last post and starting the documentation of this project. I wasn’t entirely unproductive during that time; and in fact spent it refinishing a night stand that was collecting dust in the kids’ room, refinishing a side table in our living room, refinishing our coffee table … Continue reading Lamination Lamentation, Part 2

Originally, I started this post writing a preamble about nostalgia and my escape from the land of my youth, but maybe this isn’t the place for that story. I will save it for my therapist. Instead, let me tell you the story about this radio console of mysterious provenance. The gods of free stuff were … Continue reading Lamination Lamentation, Part 1

Despite the ardent wishes of nearly all its population, the Pacific Northwest continues to nurture a fickle spring, characterized by periods of uncharacteristic downpours alternating with periods of gray skies and periods of bright, warm sun. Of all these scenarios, there is a certain amount of irony that the one I dislike most is also … Continue reading Memory Lane, Part 3

I had done a little research into this table before I started working and discovered something interesting, which solved a minor mystery surrounding it. Apparently what I had was not the complete product and the true extent of the water damage was not evident by dint of omission. The table I had purchased had originally … Continue reading Memory Lane, Part 2